Abstract
Objectives : This study is aimed at establishing the discriminative criteria for Adenophorae Radix (AT; Sasam), Codonopsis Lanceolatae Radix (CL; Yangyu) and Adenophorae Remotiflori Radix (AR; Jeni). Because of confusable publications and the similitude of herb shape, CL and AR have been used as AT in the markets. Methods : We firstly discriminated and confirmed AT, CL and AR through observing the external morphology of original plants. Then, external-internal morphological features of the medicinal herbs were studied. A stereoscope was used to determine macroscopic features of dried herbal medicines and a microscope was conducted to examine internal features with the samples, which were embedded in paraffin and stained. Results : 1. The original plant of CL was discriminated with the stem shape in comparison with others. AT and AR were classified by the leaf position of original plant. 2. In the macroscopic morphological study of medicinal herbs, CL had lumps, which seem like a wart. Also, AT and AR were different in the density of cross section. 3. In the microscopic morphological study of the medicinal herbs, the phloem, fissures and the arrangement of xylem were selected as discriminative criteria for 3 kinds of herbs. With these contents, we suggested the identification keys, including further details. Conclusions : These results, especially identification keys, will be helpful to distinguish 3 kinds of herbs, referred to as a 'Sasam'. Moreover, macroscopic and microscopic methods used in this article would be applicable tools for the discrimination of other herbs.
